Check-book



w. H. w. HAMILTON.

CHECK BOOK.

AP PLICATION FILED NOV. 15, 1920.

1,398,508, Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

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DION

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

H. W. HAMILTON, OF BAKER, OREGON.

CHECK-BOOK.

T0 alZl whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. W. HAMILTON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Baker, in the county of Baker and State of Oregon, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Check- Books, of which the following is a speclfication.

My invention relates to check books, and more especially to pocket check books, and its object, broadly speaking, is to provide such check book with a simple, inexpensive device formed integral therewith for delimiting the amount for which each check is drawn.

With this object in view my invention comprises a check book provided with means permanently secured thereto for punching the marginal or other portions of each check to delimit the amount for which the check is drawn, and such means preferably consist in a snap fastener whereby the flap attached to one of the check-book cover-members may be secured to the other cover-member, such snap fastener comprising a head constructed to perform the function of a punch and a socket arranged to cooperate therewith.

In this manner I obviate the necessity for employing a check writing machine, or a check protecting apparatus or other means independent of the check book for preventing the raising of the amount for which the check is drawn, and provide a checkprotecting device which is so inexpensive that banks can supply it without charge to their depositors and which, being permanently associated with the check book, is always ready at hand for use, and cannot be lost or mislaid.

The foregoing and other advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description and the distinctive features of novelty will be there-- after pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification- Figure 1 is a plan view of a check book embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one form of check that may be used with my improved check book.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale of a combined snap fastener and punch.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 29, 1921'.

Application filed November 15, 1920. Serial No. 424,018.

10 represents the under cover-member of a I check book, said cover-member terminating in a flap 11, and 12 represents the upper cover-member of said check book.

The stubs of the checks are bound together In any sultable manner, as for example, by the staple 13 and the tab 14' is arranged to slip Into the pocket in the under cover-member 10 formed by the flap-15', in the usual manner. By this or any other suitable means, the stubs may be removed from the cover and a new set of checks inserted therein.

The forward end of the flap 11 is cut away to form a tab 16 to which is secured the socket 17 of a snap fastener. The interior of the socket is enlarged as shown at 18, and the aperture at the outer end thereof is slightly smaller in diameter than the head 19, which is secured to the cover-member 12. The head is cylindrical and its outer end 1s preferably normal to its longitudinal axis, as distinguished from the usual snap fastener in which the head is rounded, so that it will perform the function of a punch, and it is provided near its base with a pcripheral groove 20, into which the rim of the socket will snap when the head is pushed home. By enlarging the inner wall of the socket, as shown at 18, and splitting said socket vertically, as shown at 21, suflicient elasticity is imparted to the socket to enable the outer end thereof to snap into said groove 20. The inner end 22 of the socket s open to permit the escape of the punchr It will be understood that I do not limit myself to the specified form of combined snap fastener and punch herein specifically shown and described, and that my invention resides broadly in a two-part check-limiting device, such for example, as a snap fastener, the head of which is constructed to operate as a unch, one part of which device is attac ed to one cover-member and the other to the other, so that, being fixedly secured to the check book, the device will always be ready for use and cannot be lost or mis'laid.

I prefer to use with my improved checklimiting device checks having figures printed understood that such figures may be printed on other portions of the check. As indicated, each check carries a notice that it is not good for more than the smallest amount punched therein, and is void if there is more than one punch mark in each column. In

order to delimit a check by means of the resent invention, the check, after being lled in with the name of the payee and the amount for which it is drawn, is torn from the stub and placed across the check book with the proper figure over the punch or head of the snap fastener 19. The socket is then pressed down so that the head enters thereinto and punches the check at the proper point. space marked None so that in case'no figure of any column is necessary in order to make up the amount for which is drawn, suchspace in said column will be punched.

Having thus described an illustrative embodiment of my invention, without however, limiting myself thereto, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A check book comprising in combination a cover, a fla attached to one covermember, and chec punching means, said means consisting of a snap fastener having one element secured to said flap and the cooperating element thereof secured to the other cover member.

2. A check book comprising in combination a cover, a flap attached to one covermember, a snap fastener having one element secured to said flap and the cooperating element thereof secured to the other cover-member, the head of said snap fastener being cylindrical and the outer end thereof being normal to its longitudinal axis.

3. A check book comprising in combina- Each column is provided with a e tion a cover, a fl attached to one covermember and chec punching means, said means consisting of a snap fastener comprising asocket and a cooperating head, said socket being secured to said flap and said {)iead being secured to the other cover-mem- 4. A check book comprising in combination acover, a flap attached to one covermember, and check punching means, said means consisting of a snap fastenercompris ing a socket and a cooperating head, the socket of. said snap fastener being secured to said flap, said socket being opened at its inner end, and the head of said snap fastener being secured to the other cover-member.

5. A check book comprising in combination a cover, a flap attached-to one covermember, and check punching means, said means consisting of a snap fastener comprising a socket and a cooperating head, said socket being secured to said flap and said head being secured to the other cover-member, the head of said snap fastener having a peripheral groove near its base for receiving the rim of said socketr 6. A check book comprising in combination a cover having two members, and a check limiting device having two parts, the parts of said device being secured respectively to the members of said cover.

7. A check book comprising in combination a cover having two members and a punching device having two parts, the parts of said device being secured respectively to the members of said cover.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 10th day of November, 1920. 4

WILLIAM W. HAMILTON. 

